The Cognitive Debt Accumulation Model

How AI tools reduce effort while diminishing cognitive capability

-32% Cognitive Load
r = -0.68 Critical Thinking
50% Feel "Lazy"
Technology Adoption Timeline
Cognitive Effort Required (%)
Cognitive Capability Retained (%)
COGNITIVE DEBT
Cognitive Effort
Cognitive Capability
Accumulated Debt
Sources: Stadler et al. (2024), Computers in Human Behavior | Gerlich (2025), Societies | Ward et al. (2017), Journal of Consumer Research